Loop 40 - The 40th Anniversary Podcast: Recent Episodes
WLUP
The Loop's been rocking Chicago for 40 years, and it wouldn't have been possible without the contributions of its legendary personalities. Each week, the Loop talks to an ex-Looper about their time at WLUP!
Jeff Schwartz was at ground zero for major Loop moments. In the latest edition of Loop 40, he talks with James VanOsdol about: Changing the original logo to the "classic" Loop logo Disco Demolition: From concept to advertiser fallout Steve Dahl as a colleague and talent A Loop stag party where the partying was happening in the bathroom *Pete Townshend's pot overture
When it comes to rock, Loop alum Eddie Webb is the real deal. He looks back on his two stints at the Loop, including quality time with Aerosmith's Joe Perry and the point when the station got to be "no fun."
April Rose sits down with 2008 Loop Rock girl Kelly Marie! They talk about what Kelly had to shove in her mouth for her calendar shoot and what 'Bunny School' was like!
Radio legend Steve Dahl talks about his Loop memories in this special crossover with his podcast (heard on Dahl.com).
Zander worked on-air at the Loop from 2000-2005. He talked to the Loop 40 podcast about:
Loopfests (ZZ Top, the Doors of the 21st Century, Night Ranger) The Chicago-ness of Off Broadway (and power-pop) Growing up listening to jocks like Patti Haze and Sky Daniels Hey, what's Zander up to now? *Zander's desert island discs
The legendary Kevin Matthews checks in from Michigan to talk with Tim Virgin about his days at the Loop!
Scott Dirks worked on-air at the Loop when the station was exploding in the late 70s/early 80s.
He talks with Loop 40 about: Bad behavior in the Loop studios (literally sex, drugs and rock and roll) His ongoing interactions with porn star Seka An amazing on-air stoned moment The "all morning shows all the time" approach of the 80s *Brandmeier's arrival
Crazy Ray did overnights at the Loop in the early 21st century, shows he treated as events. He checked in with Loop 40 to talk about how he handled the hours, his dismissal, meeting rock stars and working with other Loop jocks like Cara Carriveau and Steve Seaver.
Cara spent 8 years at the Loop, and checks in to chat about doing news for Kevin Matthews and then doing middays at the station.
Sari (middays at the Loop in the 1990s) caught up with Loop 40 to talk about her Loop memories, including:
Insane promotions (goldfish in a blender, anyone?) The odd musical direction of the time (Sister Hazel) In-studio guests (Chris Farley, Walter Cronkite) Memories of working with Tim Virgin ("We were family; we were all single... we just had such a great time") *The writing on the wall ("I went from middays to nights")
Les Tracy did middays at the Loop in the very beginning. We pulled him out of retirement for a quick conversation about Loop history...
Tim Virgin talks to Loop legend Danny Bonaduce about: How a prank call from Jonathon Brandmeier led to Danny's career on the Loop. Why urine tests were built into Danny's contracts The power of the Loop when Jonathon Brandmeier, Kevin Matthews, Steve Dahl and Danny were there: “That is mayhem that is going to bring in some big, big ratings” “Car-e-oke,” a game played in Danny’s car that would make James Corden crap his pants *Danny's time in Chicago: "The best times, the weirdest times, some shady times”
Mitch Michaels was at ground zero as the Loop took off in the late 70s. The legendary rock jock looks back on his time at the station and its influence on Chicago culture.
Longtime Loop jock Bobby Skafish talks about his ten years at the station, from working alongside Johnny B. and Steve & Garry to his most memorable moments.
(Image from Eckhartz Press)